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Chevrolet Cavalier: Head Gasket Issues

58 messages,  Last post on Oct 09, 2009 at 7:36 AM

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What is this discussion about? Chevrolet Cavalier, Engine, Sedan

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#9 of 58 Re: Head Gasket problems..... [mdaffron] by joe3891 Jun 24, 2005 (8:22 am)
Replying to: mdaffron (Jun 22, 2005 9:44 am) The Cavalier is a to be kind a cheap car, the 04 Malibu is not a cheap car. As far as a Cavalier goes I did not put a lot of money into any of them but the 2000 was the worst of the bunch. Before 40 K heater blower resistor and valve cover gasket, had to put neither on my 94 that went to 120 K before trading. The 2000 got totaled, nobody injured so I was actually glad. If not for the accident I would probably still have it. I still have my large tool box for the Malibu when its gets off warranty. You can operate any car cheap if you do most all your own work.
#10 of 58 Re: Head Gasket problems..... [candie] by joe3891 Jun 24, 2005 (8:38 am)
Replying to: candie (Jun 22, 2005 10:38 am) OK I will set the record straight. I bought [ 4 ] Cavaliers because they are a simple car, easy to work on, parts are cheap. I am thrifty , so that’s why I bought 4. Here’s an example the 94 had a head gasket leak at 80 K, I replace the head gasket for a total cost of $15, plus an oil an filter change. When I traded it 40K later it was still not leaking, but you got be a DIY, actually I am also an ex Tech. I wanted the Malibu because it was cheap and loaded, hard to sell a first year model, sorry Host.
#11 of 58 97 Cavalier-Head gasket leak? by murphy15 Jul 07, 2005 (12:42 pm)
I'm purchasing a used Cavalier (4 cylinder) for my daughter to use while attending Grad School this fall. It seems to be in excellent shape with one flaw noone, so far, can diagnose. Once the engine is at operating temp., the coolant seeps back into the overflow/recovery bottle, rises slowly and dribbles out past the cap. It eventually drips down the inside fender well and onto the ground.   One shop sez its the head gasket. Another sez its not the head gasket but he's uncertain what is wrong. Anyone else run into this problem? Thanks. Replies to this message: joe3891 (Jul 08, 2005 8:21 am)
#12 of 58 Re: 97 Cavalier-Head gasket leak? [murphy15] by joe3891 Jul 08, 2005 (8:21 am)
Replying to: murphy15 (Jul 07, 2005 12:42 pm) My guess would be cracked head, you overheat that engine only once bad and it will crack the head every time. The only head gasket leak that I ever seen on that engine is external, at both ends, will show coolant stain.
#13 of 58 Chevy Cavalier 1996 - Overheating Problem...! by oscorp Nov 11, 2005 (10:54 am)
Hi,   I have a 96 chevy cavalier with 173K miles on it. Since past 1 week, I am facing a problem of overheating. When I start the car, it says, COOLANT is low and after running for 1 to 1.5 miles, the car temp increases to Maximum.   I got my car checked for this problem. They are also clueless about the problem.   Can anyone suggest me the cost effective way of removing the problem??   regs oscorp Replies to this message: jpf (Nov 15, 2005 4:10 pm)
#14 of 58 Re: Chevy Cavalier 1996 - Overheating Problem...! [oscorp] by jpf Nov 15, 2005 (4:10 pm)
Replying to: oscorp (Nov 11, 2005 10:54 am) Sounds like a blown head gasket. A typical problem with the 2.2 or 2.4 liter engines. Hopefully the cylinder head is not warped or cracked. Good luck.
#15 of 58 2005 Cavalier Problem by sarahanne May 22, 2006 (4:53 pm)
Hi all. Just wanted some opinions. I have a 2005 Cavalier, bought brand new last March. I live out of the city and put about 150km (Canada) on it per day, so my warranty just ran out. I'm currently at 68000km. I have drive train warranty up to 100,000km. I'm hoping what's happening is covered. Last week my check engine light came on and I took it in and was told that there was a large leak in the EVAP systerm. They replaced the EVAP vent solenoid, which corrected the problem. I asked them for a full inspection, which they did, and checked and approved everything, telling me that there were no problems. Today, on the highway, the engine coolant light came on, and so I pulled over. I think the car overheated because after I shut it off it was making this bubbling sound for about 5 minutes before it finally shut up. A nice man pulled over, told me he was a mechanic, and asked me to pop the hood. He told me that there was absolutely no coolant in the car, and put some water in it. When I started it again, the water just leaked out all over the place. He told me that he thinks that a head gasket blew. I have no idea what that is, but the guy said it should be covered under the drive train warranty. I'm hoping that some of the experts on this board can verify what he's saying, or suggest something else. I'm just flipping out over this because I have just had it over a year. Is it normal for this to happen? Is it going to happen over and over again? Does this sound like a head gasket? Anyone ever try to get something like this fixed under warranty? Thanks! Sarah Replies to this message: halsca (Jun 20, 2006 11:01 am)
#16 of 58 02 Chevy Cavalier, PLEASE HELP by professaditty Jun 17, 2006 (11:29 pm)
I really need some help. I have an 02 Chevy Cavalier, single cam, 2.2-4 Engine, Manual Trans. Ever since I bought this piece of S&*^ I have had problems. A month after I got it, check engine light comes on. Take it to dealer and they say that the Thermostat needs to be changed. I changed the Thermostat, then my water pump goes out, I change the water pump. Runs good for about a week then car starts overheating. I fill her back up with water and no leaks, then runs fine. Then overheats again. No leaks but all my water in my reservoir is gone. I soon realize that my fan is not kicking on. I change the Cooling Temp sensor, and runs great at normal temperature for about 30 miles, then breaks down. And wont drive anywhere without heating up. So I pull apart the head and I have water in my #3 cylinder, I change all the gaskets, have the head pressure checked and re-surfaced. Once got it all back together it ran great, at normal temp, and fan kicks on. Then I take it for a drive for about 20 mins, then starts to heat up again, I turn her off and steam is blowing out the back of the head and now water in my oil. Does anyone know what the hell it could be? I am so fed up with this car. Im thinking a cracked head but shouldnt they have been able to tell if they prssure test it? Please anyone give me any advice on what I can do or what it could be. Thanks in advance. Replies to this message: halsca (Jun 18, 2006 10:31 am)
#17 of 58 Re: 02 Chevy Cavalier, PLEASE HELP [professaditty] by halsca Jun 18, 2006 (10:31 am)
Replying to: professaditty (Jun 17, 2006 11:29 pm) Those things had head gasket problems. If you had the head gone through and resurfaced, they either did a poor job or the block might be warped too. Seen it happen before.   You have to be careful, there's a lot of bunk repair places out there. A friend of mine had the heads gone though on his Dodge motor home. They failed to replace a couple of stretched valves, one broke and ended up destoying the motor. He got what he paid for.
#18 of 58 Re: 2005 Cavalier Problem [sarahanne] by halsca Jun 20, 2006 (11:01 am)
Replying to: sarahanne (May 22, 2006 4:53 pm) Well you might have a case against the people who did the prior servace, IF you can prove they let you leave without a full cooling system.   This motor can't handle too much heat, problem with aluminum in general also the way it's built, light and cheap... too much heat they warp and crack, the mating surface between the head and block must be perfect. Let this motor overheat they WILL blow head gaskets. This is a fact.   If you see steam or liquid leaking from between the head and block you can bet it's a head gasket. If you see steam in the exhaust, head gasket or cracked head. Oil in the water or water in the oil, same thing.

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